System and method of polling with an information handling system

ABSTRACT

An information handling system is configured to poll a remote data store at an adaptable polling rate. The polling rate can be based on one or more usage characteristics of the information handling system, such as a time of day, geographical location, user profile, management profile, system usage pattern, or other usage characteristic. Between polling requests, the information handling system can be placed in a low-power mode, thereby conserving power.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, andmore particularly to systems and methods for polling with an informationhandling system.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Becausetechnology and information handling needs and requirements can varybetween different applications, information handling systems can alsovary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allow forinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems can include a variety of hardwareand software components that can be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and can include one or more computer systems,data storage systems, and networking systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a data communication networkaccording to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of polling a remote datastore according to aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an information handling systemaccording to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an information handling systemaccording to another aspect of the present disclosure.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachingsand should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other teachings can certainlybe utilized in this application. The teachings can also be utilized inother applications and with several different types of architecturessuch as distributed computing architectures, client/serverarchitectures, or middleware server architectures and associatedcomponents.

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system caninclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, aninformation handling system can be a personal computer, a PDA, aconsumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switchrouter, wireless router, or other network communication device, or anyother suitable device and can vary in size, shape, performance,functionality, and price. The information handling system can includememory, one or more processing resources such as a central processingunit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional componentsof the information handling system can include one or more storagedevices, one or more communications ports for communicating withexternal devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, suchas a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handlingsystem can also include one or more buses operable to transmitcommunications between the various hardware components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a data communication network 100in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The datacommunication network 100 includes an information handling system 102and a server 104, each connected to a network 110. The server 104 storesa remote data store 108. The information handling system 102 includesprocessors 122 and 124, a network interface 126, a polling controlmodule 128, an event detection module 129, and a memory 132. Theprocessor 122 is connected to the polling control module 128 and thenetwork interface 126. The polling control module 128 is configured toaccess information stored at the memory 132. The memory 132 stores alocal data store 134, time information 136, location information 138, auser profile 140, a system usage pattern 142, and a management profile143. The event detection module 129 is connected to the polling controlmodule 128.

The network 110 is a communication network configured to provide aphysical and logical medium for communications between the server 104and the information handling system 102. In an embodiment, the network110 is a packet-switched network that communicates information byrouting packets between routing equipment such as servers, routers, orthe like. In another embodiment, the network 110 is a cellular or otherwireless communication network.

The server 104 is an information handling system configured tocommunicate with one or more client systems via the network 110. Inparticular, the server 104 is configured to receive polling requestsfrom client systems. As used herein, a polling request refers to acommunication to determine whether a data store, such as remote datastore 108, includes information not included in another data store, suchas local data store 134. In response to a polling request, the server104 determines whether the remote data store 108 includes informationthat is not included in a local data store at the remote device. Forpurposes of discussion, information located at the remote data store 108that is not also stored at remote data store of the requesting device isreferred to herein as “unsynchronized information.” If the server 104determines that the remote data store 108 does not includeunsynchronized information, the server 104 so indicates by sending aresponse communication to the requesting client system. If the server104 determines that the remote data store 108 does includeunsynchronized information, it can communicate the unsynchronizedinformation via the network 110 in response to the polling request.

For example, in one embodiment, remote data store 108 stores emailmessages for a designated user. In response to a polling request from aclient system associated with the user, the server 104 determineswhether the remote data store 108 includes any messages that are notstored at a local data store of the client system. For example, theserver 104 can determine if any email messages have been stored at theremote data store 108 since the last time the remote data store wassynchronized with the local data store. If the remote data store 108does include email messages not stored at the local data store, theserver 104 can communicate those messages to the client system inresponse to the polling request. In other embodiments, the remote datastore 108 can store diagnostic information, security information,computer virus information, user credential information, geofencinginformation, time zone information, or the like.

The information handling system 102 is a client system configured tocommunicate polling requests to the server 104 via the network 110. Inparticular, the network interface 126 provides a physical and logicallayer interface for communications with the network 110. The processor122 is a data processing device configured to execute designated tasksbased on specified instructions included in a computer program, such asan application program, BIOS, or other set of computer instructions. Onesuch task includes communicating polling requests via the network 110 toensure that the local data store 134 is intermittently synchronized withthe remote data store 108.

The rate of polling requests communicated by the processor 122 iscontrolled by the polling control module 128. In particular, the pollingcontrol module 128 includes a timer 130. Polling control module 128 caninitialize the timer 130 by storing a time value at the timer. Timer 130is periodically adjusted based on a clock signal (not shown). Inresponse to timer 130 reaching a particular threshold value, pollingcontrol module 128 sends an indicator, such as an interrupt request, tothe processor 122. In response to the indicator, processor 122communicates a polling request to network interface 126, which in turncommunicates the request to server 104 via network 110. In addition, inresponse to providing the indicator, the polling control module canre-initialize the timer with another time value. By repeatedlyinitializing the timer with a time value in response to triggering eachpolling request, the polling control module 128 ensures that pollingrequests are periodically communicated. The rate of polling requests isdetermined by the time value used by polling control module 128 toinitialize and re-initialize the timer 130. For purposes of discussion,this time value is referred to as the “initial time value.”

Polling control module 128 is configured to determine the initial timevalue based on one or more of a number of usage characteristics of theinformation handling system 102. As used herein, a usage characteristicis a characteristic indicating the environment in which an informationhandling system has been or is being used, or indicating how theinformation handling system has been used by one or more users. Examplesof usage characteristics include the time of day or other timeinformation, geographical location of the information handling system102, a usage pattern of the information handling system 102, and a userprofile associated with a particular user. The polling control module128 determines the usage characteristic based on one or more of the timeinformation 136, the location information 138, the user profile 140, thesystem usage pattern 142, and the management profile 143.

For example, the time information 136 indicates a current time of day orother time information based on a system clock or other time sensor. Thepolling control module 128 can access the time information 136 to setthe initial time value, and therefore the polling request rate. Thus,for example, if the time information 136 indicates that the current timeof day is a time when the user of the information handling system 102 isnot likely to need frequent synchronization of the local data store 134,the polling control module 128 can set the initial time value so thatthe rate of polling requests is relatively low. In contrast, if the timeinformation 136 indicates that the current time of day is a time whenthe user is likely to desire frequent synchronization of the local datastore 134, the polling control module 128 can set the initial time valueso that the rate of polling is relatively high. Thus, for example, thepolling control module 128 can set the rate of polling so that it isrelatively high during work hours, and relatively low at night.

Location information 138 indicates a geographic or other location of theinformation handling system 102. In an embodiment, the informationhandling system 102 can set the location information 138 based oninformation received from a position sensor (not shown), such as aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) sensor. The polling control module 128can access the location information 138 to determine the rate ofpolling. Thus, for example, if the location information 138 indicatesthat the information handling system 102 is located at the user'soffice, polling control module 128 can set the polling rate to arelatively high rate, while if the location information 138 indicatesthat the information handling system 102 is located at the user's home,the polling control module can set the polling rate to a relatively lowrate.

The polling control module 128 can also use the location information 138in conjunction with the time information 136 to determine the pollingrate. For example, the polling control module 128 can determine thecurrent time zone based on the location of the information handlingsystem 102, as indicated by the location information 138. The pollingcontrol module 128 can also determine the time of day based on the timeinformation 136, and determine, based on the time zone, whether thecurrent time is night time, day time, or other time of day. The pollingcontrol module 128 can then set the polling rate based whether thecurrent time is night time, day time, or other time of day.

System usage pattern 142 indicates a historical usage pattern for theinformation handling system 102. For example, system usage pattern 142can indicate at what times of day information handling system 142 ismore frequently used by the user. System usage pattern 142 can alsoindicate the frequency with which particular programs are used. Thus,system usage pattern 142 can provide an indication of how often localdata store 134 is accessed at different times of the day. Based on thesystem usage pattern 142, as well as other information such as timeinformation 136, the polling control module 128 can set the pollingrate. For example, the polling control module 128 can reduce the pollingrate at times when the system usage pattern 142 indicates the local datastore 134 is likely to be accessed relatively infrequently, and increasethe polling rate at times when the system usage pattern 142 indicatesthe local data store 134 is likely to be accessed relatively frequently.In an embodiment, the system usage pattern 142 can indicate differentusage patterns for different users, so that the polling rate can be setfor each individual user based on the usage pattern for that user. Inaddition, the information handling system 102 can update the systemusage pattern 142 in response to a user's interactions with the system.Thus, as a user changes her usage pattern of the information handlingsystem 102, the system usage pattern 142 can be updated, therebychanging the polling rate set by the polling control module. The pollingrate is thereby adapted to each user's usage pattern for the informationhandling system 102.

The user profile 140 is information associated with a particular user ofinformation handling system 102, and can indicate desired polling ratesfor the user based on particular user characteristics. Thus, the userprofile 140 can indicate that the user desires more frequent pollingrequests at a particular time of day or when the information handlingsystem 102 is in a particular location. Polling control module 128 canset the polling rate based on the information stored at user profile 140in conjunction with other information, such as time information 136 andlocation information 138. In addition, user profile 140 can be adjustedby the user via an interface program (not shown), to allow the user toset polling rates to a desired rate when particular usagecharacteristics are present. Multiple user profiles can be stored for aparticular user, and different user profiles can be stored for differentusers. Thus, the polling rate can be set for each user according to theuser's associated user profile. Further, the information handling system102 can update the system usage pattern 142 in response to a user'sinteractions with the system. Thus, as a user changes the way heinteracts with his usage pattern of the information handling system 102,the user profile 140 can be automatically updated, thereby changing thepolling rate set by the polling control module. The polling rate isthereby adapted to each user's profile for the information handlingsystem 102.

The management profile 143 is information associated with a group orgroups of users of the information handling system 102. In particular,the management profile 143 can indicate different classes of users, andthe users that are included in each class. Further, the managementprofile 143 can indicate polling policies for each class of user. Basedon the polling policies, as well as other information such as timeinformation 136, the polling control module 128 can set the pollingrate. For example, the polling control module 128 can reduce the pollingrate at times when the management profile 143 indicates the user isassociated with a designated class, and the designated class isassociated with a polling policy indicating a lower polling rate. Thepolling policies can also indicate different polling policies fordifferent classes of data. Thus, a polling policy can indicate that anemail data store should be polled at a designated rate for a particularclass of users, while also indicating that a security data store shouldbe polled at a different rate for the same class of users.

Event detection module 129 can indicate one or more system events at theinformation handling system 102. Examples of system events can includean indication of a user interaction with the system, receipt of amessage or other information at the network interface 126, or the like.For example, the user can trigger a system event by depressing a button.In response to the event, event detection module 129 provides anotification to the polling control module 130. The notification canprovide an indication of the event type or the circumstances thattriggered the event notification. In response, polling control module130 can set the polling rate to a different value. Thus, for example, auser may depress a button to indicate that she wishes to interact withthe information handling system 102. In response, the polling controlmodule 130 can set the polling rate to an increased rate, so that thelocal data store 134 is updated more frequently. The user can therebyoverride the polling rate indicated by the usage characteristicsdescribed above.

In one embodiment, information handling system 102 can be placed indifferent power modes. For example, information handling system 102 canbe placed in an active mode whereby it is able to communicate pollingrequests, and can be placed in a low-power mode, whereby it is able tomaintain stored information but not communicate polling requests in tothe network 110. In this embodiment, the information handling system102, can be placed in the low-power mode between polling requests, andplaced in the active mode in response to the indication from the pollingcontrol module that a polling request should be communicated. Thusinformation handling system 102 is not maintained in the active mode,but only placed in the active mode when a polling request is indicated,thereby conserving power. Further, because polling control module 128can set the polling rate such that polling requests are sent lessfrequently (depending on particular usage characteristics of theinformation handling system 102) overall power consumption of theinformation handling system 102 can be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of a method of polling a remote datastore according to one embodiment of the present disclosure isillustrated. At block 201, the polling control module determines ifadaptive polling is enabled. If so, the method flow moves to block 202,and the polling control module 128 determines an initial time valuebased on usage characteristics of the information handling system 102.At block 204, the network interface 126 and processor 122 enter alow-power mode. At block 206, the polling control module 128 initializesthe timer 130 with the initial time value.

At block 208, the timer is adjusted based on a clock signal. The methodflow moves to block 210, and the polling control module 128 determineswhether the timer has expired. In an embodiment, polling control module128 determines if the timer has expired by comparing a value stored atthe timer to a threshold value. If polling control module 128 determinesthat the timer has not expired, the method flow returns to block 208 andthe clock signal continues to adjust the timer.

In response to the timer expiring, the method flow moves to block 211and the polling control module provides a polling indicator, such as aninterrupt request, to the processor 122. In response, at block 212, theprocessor 122 and network interface 126 are placed in an active mode. Atblock 214, in response to the polling indicator, the processor 122communicates a polling request to the network interface 126, which inturn communicates the polling request to the server 104.

At block 216, the server 104 determines if the remote data store 108includes unsynchronized information with respect to the local data store134. If not, the method flow moves to block 202 and the polling controlmodule 128 again determines an initial time value for the timer 130. Ifremote data store 108 does include unsynchronized information, themethod flow proceeds to block 218 and the server 104 synchronizes thelocal data store 134 with the remote data store 108. The method flowreturns to block 201 and the polling control module 128 again determinesif adaptive polling is enabled.

If, at block 201, the polling control module 128 determines thatadaptive polling is not enabled, the method flow moves to block 203 andthe polling control module 128 sets the timer value to a predeterminedvalue. Thus, if adaptive polling is not enabled, the polling controlmodule 128 will poll at a fixed rate based on the predetermined value,rather than polling at a rate based on usage characteristics of theinformation handling system 102.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of aninformation handling system, generally designated at 300. In one form,the information handling system 300 can be a computer system such as adesktop computer, notebook computer, server or various other types ofinformation handling systems. As shown in FIG. 3, the informationhandling system 300 can include an event detection module 302 operableto detect user activated and non-user activated events. The eventdetection module 302 can be coupled to a resource allocation module 304having access to one or more resource profiles 306. The informationhandling system 300 can also include a first processing system 308coupled to first non-shared resources 310 of the first processing system308. In one form, the first processing system 308 can include a hostchipset, processor, memory, communication buses, peripheral devices,applications, a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), or any combinationsthereof (not illustrated). The first processing system 308 can alsoinclude shared resources including shared input resources 312, sharedperipheral resources 314, shared power resources 316, shared applicationresources 318, shared output resources 320, or any combination thereof.The first processing system 308 can be coupled to the resourceallocation module 304 operable to allocate shared resources to be usedin response to an event detected by the event detection module 302, andone or more associated resource profiles 306. In one form, the sharedresources 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, can be configured as a part of thefirst processing system 308 and accessible by one or more processingsystems. In other forms, one or more of the shared resources can beprovided external to the first processing system 304.

According to a further aspect, the information handling system 300 canalso include a second processing system 322 including second non-sharedresources 324. The second processing system 322 can be coupled to one ormore of the shared resources 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 of the firstprocessing system 308. The second processing system 322 can further becoupled to the resource allocation module 304 operable to allocateresources to be used by the second processing system 322. Additionally,the resource allocation module 304 can further be coupled to an n^(th)processing system 326 operable to be coupled to one or more of theshared resources 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 of the first processing system308. The n^(th) processing system 326 can further include n^(th)non-shared resources 328.

During operation, the event detection module 302 can detect a userinitiated event, a non-user initiated event, or any combination thereof.For example, a user initiated event can include a user activating a key,button, or other type of hardware, software, or user selectableinterface, or combinations thereof, that can generate a user activatedevent. For example, a user can select a button to access a messagingapplication of the information handling system 300. As such, the eventdetection module 302 can detect a request to access the messagingapplication and couple an event request to the resource allocationmodule 304.

According to another aspect, the event detection module 302 can detect anon-user initiated event. For example, the information handling system300 can include a communication module (not illustrated) operable toreceive communication signals via a wireless communication, terrestrialor wire-line communication, or any combination thereof. The informationhandling system 300 can detect the non-user initiated event, and cancouple an input identifying detection of the event to the resourceallocation module 304. The resource allocation module 304 can identify aresource profile 306 using the detected event, and initiate activationof resources to process the non-user initiated event. For example, theresource profiles 306 can include a listing of desired resources of thefirst processing system 308, the second processing system 322, the nthprocessing system 326, or any combination thereof. The resourceallocation module 304 can then initiate activation of resources based onthe resource profile using the detected event, and resources availableto process the event.

In one form, the information handling system 300 can detect a non-userinitiated event communicated to an electronic device other than theinformation handling system 300. For example, the event detection module302 can be configured to detect a message formatted to be received by asmart phone device, Blackberry device, or any type of electronic deviceconfigured to receive messages. For example, the information handlingsystem 300 can include a communication module (not illustrated) operableto detect wireless messages communicated via any network operable tocommunicate messages. For example, a wireless messaging network such asan SMS network, Blackberry enabled network, or any other type ofmessaging enabled wireless or wireline network. According to an aspect,the event detection module 302 can couple a detected input to theresource allocation module 304 indicating that a Blackberry formatted(or other format) message has been detected. As such, the resourceallocation module 304 can access the resource profiles 306 and determinea resource profile of the event and initiate allocation of resources toprocess the Blackberry message.

In an exemplary form, the information handling system 300 can beoperating in a low-power operating state that can include sufficientresources to detect a wireless signal. As such, the resource allocationmodule 304 can determine the current operating state of the informationhandling system 300, and initiate enabling resources, such as a secondprocessing system 322, shared input resources 312, shared powerresources 316, shared application sources 318, shared output sources320, or any combination thereof to process and output a response to thereceived wireless signal. As such, an operating environment to output aresponse to a message, such as a Blackberry message, can be enabledusing a limited amount of resources without having to initializeadditional resources of the information handling system 300. Forexample, a shared peripheral resource 314 such as a display can beaccessed to output the message using the second processing system 322.Additionally, a keyboard or other input device of the first processingsystem 308 can be powered to enable a user to respond to the message. Assuch, a limited resource operating environment can be generated to allowfor receipt and response to messages without having to power the entireinformation handling system 300. In the manner, a laptop or notebooksystem can be used to receive messages that may be intended for aBlackberry or other type of messaging device, thereby allowing a user toview messages using a larger display relative to the Blackberry deviceor smart phone device, and draft and respond to messages using akeyboard and display of a portable or notebook system and associatedinput devices as desired.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, either processing system 308 orprocessing system 322, or both, can include a polling control module asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, either processingsystem can poll a remote data store based on a usage characteristic ofthe processing system. Further, the polling rate associated with eachprocessing system can be set according to the usage characteristicsassociated with that system. Moreover, when one of the processingsystems sends a poll request, the other processing system can be placedor remain in a low-power mode, thereby conserving power consumption forthe information handling system 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of an information handlingsystem 400 operable including allocated resources according to oneaspect of the disclosure. The information handling system can include ahost processing system 402 that can include a host CPU, a host CPUchipset, memory, a host operating system. The host processing system 402can also include a first BIOS 438 operable to enable resourcesaccessible to the host processing system 402. The information handlingsystem 400 can also include a second processing system, illustratedgenerally as second processing system 404, that can include an auxiliaryCPU, a auxiliary CPU chipset, auxiliary memory, and an auxiliaryoperating system. The second processing system 404 also includes asecond BIOS 440 operable to enable resources accessible to the secondprocessing system 404. In one form, the second processing system 404 caninclude BIOS extensions or input that can be commonly used by the hostprocessing system 402.

According to an aspect, the host processing system 402 and the secondprocessing system 404 can be coupled to a resource allocation module406. For example, the host processing system 402 can be coupled to theresource allocation module 406 using a first bus 408 and a second bus410. In one form, the first bus 408 can include a low pin count (LPC)bus and the second bus can include a system management bus (SMBUS).Additionally, the second processing system 404 can be coupled to theresource allocation module 406 using a third bus 412 and a fourth bus414. In one form the third bus 412 can include a PS2 bus, an RS232 bus,an SPI bus, or other types of buses. In another form, the fourth bus 414can include an SMBUS, or other type of bus as desired.

The information handling system 400 can also include an event detectionmodule 418 coupled to the resource allocation module 406 and a resourceprofile source 420 stored within a memory and accessible to the resourceallocation module 406. The host processing system 402 can also becoupled to first non-shared resources 422 and a peripheral switchingmodule 424. The second processing system 402 can be coupled to secondnon-shared resources 426 and the peripheral switching module 424. Theresource allocation module 406 can also be coupled to an input device428, such as a keyboard, pointing device, or combinations thereof. Theresource allocation module 406 can also be coupled to a display 430 suchas flat screen or flat panel display that can include a backlight andambient light sensing (ALS) capabilities. The resource allocation module406 can further be coupled to a power resource 432 operable to power thesecond processing system 404 and to output host processing power 434.The peripheral switching module 424 can further be coupled to one ormore shared peripherals 436.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, either the host system 402 orsecond processing system 404 can include a polling control module asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, either processingsystem can poll a remote data store based on a usage characteristic ofthe processing system. Further, the polling rate associated with eachprocessing system can be set according to the usage characteristicsassociated with that system. Moreover, when one of the processingsystems sends a poll request, the other processing system can be placedor remain in a low-power mode, thereby conserving power consumption forthe information handling system 400. Thus, for example, the networkinterface 126 can be one of the shared resources 436. In response to anindication from the polling control module of the second processingsystem 404, the network interface 126 can be placed in a power mode toallow a polling request to be communicated, while maintaining othershared resources and non-shared resources 422 to be maintained in alow-power state, thereby conserving power.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

1. A method comprising: communicating a first polling request to aremote device via a network, the first polling request to determinewhether a remote data store includes information not stored at a localdata store; in response to communicating the first request: determininga first time duration based on a variable usage characteristic of aninformation handling system; initiating a first timer; and in responseto the first timer indicating the first time duration has elapsed,communicating a second polling request to the remote device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the variable usage characteristic is based ona user profile associated with a user of the information handlingsystem.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable usagecharacteristic is indicative of a geographic location of the informationhandling system.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable usagecharacteristic is based on a historical usage pattern associated withthe information handling system.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thevariable usage characteristic is programmable by a user.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the variable usage characteristic is associated witha group of users.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable usagecharacteristic is based on one of a plurality of user classes.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: in response to communicating thefirst request, placing the information handling system in a low-powermode; in response to the first timer indicating the first duration haselapsed, placing the information handling system in an active mode tocommunicate the second polling request; and in response to communicatingthe second polling request, returning the information handling system tothe low-power mode.
 9. A computer readable medium tangibly embodying ofprogram of instructions to manipulate a processor, the program ofinstructions comprising instructions to: determine a first polling ratebased on a first usage characteristic of an information handling system;and poll a remote data store at the first rate to determine whether theremote data store includes information not stored at a local data storeof the information handling system.
 10. The computer readable medium ofclaim 9, wherein the program of instructions further comprisesinstructions to: adjust the first polling rate based on a change in thefirst usage characteristic to determine a second polling rate; and pollthe remote data store at the second rate in response to the change inthe first usage characteristic.
 11. The computer readable medium ofclaim 9, wherein the instructions to poll the remote data store compriseinstructions to: place the information handling system in an activemode; communicate a poll request when the information handling system isin the active mode; place the information handling system in a low-powermode in response to receiving an answer to the polling request.
 12. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the information handlingsystem comprises a first processing system and a second processingsystem.
 13. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the firstusage characteristic is based on a user profile associated with a userof the information handling system.
 14. The computer readable medium ofclaim 9, wherein the first usage characteristic is indicative of ageographic location of the information handling system.
 15. The computerreadable medium of claim 9, wherein the first usage characteristic isindicative of a time of day.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim9, wherein the instructions to determine the first polling ratecomprises determining the first polling rate based on a second usagecharacteristic of the information handling system.
 17. The computerreadable medium of claim 9, wherein the remote data store comprises anemail data store.
 18. An information handling system, comprising: amemory configured to store first information associated with a firstusage characteristic of the information handling system; a pollingmodule configured to determine a polling rate based on the firstinformation; and a network interface configured to communicate pollingrequests to a network based on the polling rate.
 19. The informationhandling system of claim 18, wherein the memory is further configured tostored second information associated with a second usage characteristicof the information handling system and wherein the polling module isconfigured to determine the polling rate based on the first informationand the second information.
 20. The information handling system of claim18, wherein the first usage characteristic is based on a user profileassociated with a user of the information handling system.